Nuggets Suppress Suns In Game 1
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 125-107, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Ball Arena on Saturday.
The game got out to a competitive start, with the Suns holding a one-point edge after one quarter. The Nuggets took their effort to another level in the second and outscored the visitors, 37-19, to claim a 17-point advantage by halftime. The Nuggets stayed in control through the third, but the Suns managed to chip away and cut it to a 12-point deficit heading into the final frame. The hosts reclaimed the momentum in the fourth and held strong down the stretch to close out the home win and take a 1-0 series lead.
Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 34 points, five rebounds, nine assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Nikola Jokic followed up with 24 points, 19 rebounds and five assists, while Aaron Gordon added 23 points, six rebounds and a steal. The Nuggets shot 47.5 percent from the field, including 16-of-37 from deep.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant led the Suns with 29 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and a steal, in 36 minutes. Devin Booker followed up with 27 points, four rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and a steal, while Deandre Ayton chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds. The Suns shot 51.2 percent from the field, including 7-of-23 from long range.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday in Denver.
The game got out to a competitive start, with the Suns holding a one-point edge after one quarter. The Nuggets took their effort to another level in the second and outscored the visitors, 37-19, to claim a 17-point advantage by halftime. The Nuggets stayed in control through the third, but the Suns managed to chip away and cut it to a 12-point deficit heading into the final frame. The hosts reclaimed the momentum in the fourth and held strong down the stretch to close out the home win and take a 1-0 series lead.
Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 34 points, five rebounds, nine assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Nikola Jokic followed up with 24 points, 19 rebounds and five assists, while Aaron Gordon added 23 points, six rebounds and a steal. The Nuggets shot 47.5 percent from the field, including 16-of-37 from deep.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant led the Suns with 29 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and a steal, in 36 minutes. Devin Booker followed up with 27 points, four rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and a steal, while Deandre Ayton chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds. The Suns shot 51.2 percent from the field, including 7-of-23 from long range.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday in Denver.